Hand cotton-picker



(No Model.)

vE. V. D. MILLER.

HAND GOITON PIGKEB No. 280,651. Patented July 3,1883.

WWITNESSES INVENTOR mm ATTORNEYS MJYj )6, $4212.51

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EMILY V. D. MILLER, OF VICKSBURG, MISSISSIPPI.

HAND COTTON-PICKER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 280,651, dated July 3,1883.

vApplication filed June 4, 1853. (No model.)

the same, reference being had to the accom panying drawings, and toletters or figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part ofthis specification.

Figure l of the drawings is a representation of this invention, and is aperspective view.

Fig. 2 is a side view. Fig. 3 is a vertical section of the upper part,the handles being broken away.

This invention has. relation to hand-instruments for picking cotton; andit consists in the construction and novel arrangement of the pivotedshanks, having at their ends spread claws of size and form adapted tooperate in the calyx of the cotton-plant, and, in connection therewith,an opening-spring between the shanks, all as hereinafter set forth.

In the accompanying drawings, the letters a and b designate the shanksof the instrument, which are pivoted together at 0. Each shank isprovided at its end with the curved spreading claws d, which are oftapering form, and of a size to enter easily the calyx of the cotton-plant. Usually it is preferred to make the claws of one of theshanks even in number and of the other odd, the central claw of thelatter fitting into the central interval, g, between the two outermostclaws of the former.

Between the shanks of the instrument is arranged a spring, h, the officeof which is to 40 open the instrument and hold it fully open at a alltimes, except when it is closed by the hand of the operator.

This instrument is designed to facilitate materially the labor ofcotton-picking, as it enables the operator to reach farther over andinto the plant than when picking without it. The instrument alsoprotects the hands from the sharp points of the calyx, which are apt toinjure the fingers, especially during frost.

Having described this invention, what I claim, and desire to secure byLetters Patent, 1s

A cotton-picking instrument consisting of pivoted shanks having at theirends spread claws d, of size and form adapted to the calyx ofthecottoirplant, and, in connection therewith, an opening-spring betweenthe shanks, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in 60 presence of twowitnesses.

E. V. D. MILLER.

Vitnesses Tnno. MUNGEN, PHILIP G. MAsI.

